The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards Relived and Honored Excellence

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards had one foot in the past and the other firmly in television’s future on Monday night. Television’s biggest night celebrated the last year’s buzziest shows and standout performances at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. After the Creative Arts Emmys kicked off the weekend before, the Primetime ceremony closed out the two-day event by honoring icons and inviting new talent to the winner’s table.

Pre-Party Hopes and Glam 

After a season packed with breakout performances and returning favorites, all eyes were on who would turn their nominations into Emmy gold. The Pitt led the pack with 25 nominations, while newcomer Chase Infiniti entered with her first nomination for The Testaments. Beef’s season two was recognized with 16 nominations, and talent including Hiro Murai, Riz Ahmed, Charles Melton, Lee Sung-Jin, and Sepideh Moafi represented the wide range of work and creative voices across the ballot. With Beef, The Pitt, and Widow’s Bay among the night’s biggest contenders, anticipation was high. 

The Emmy’s blue carpet, in honor of NBC’s centennial year, was packed with familiar faces from several rising and established stars bringing an extra spark of excitement to the night. Indonesian American actress Lukita Maxwell (Shrinking) turned heads in a memorable bell-shaped Louis Vuitton gold dress as she stepped onto the carpet. Supriya Ganesh and Shabana Azeez from The Pitt traded their medical scrubs for full-on glamour. Ganesh stood out in a soft blue gown, while Azeez stunned in a champagne gold Sophie Couture dress. Naturally, Zendaya understood the assignment, arriving in a custom crystal pearl-adorned Prada gown styled by Law Roach. Her appearance marked another iconic fashion moment as she competed for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Euphoria’s final season.  

Her-story Is Made 

Mariska Hargitay’s hosting debut was historic even before she delivered her opening line. The Law & Order: SVU veteran became the first woman to solo host the Emmy Awards ceremony since actress Jane Lynch in 2011. A natural on stage, Hargitay made hilarious quips throughout the night while also leaning into her SVU legacy to acknowledge the broader history of television. The ceremony itself doubled as part of NBC’s 100th anniversary celebration, with mention of the network’s century-old television history woven into the broadcast. 

It was a night full of nostalgia as anniversary celebrations for beloved television staples popped up throughout the ceremony. Buffy the Vampire Slayer celebrated 30 years with lead actress Sarah Michelle Gellar and co-star David Boreanaz reuniting onstage to present the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. Charlie’s Angels also marked its 50th anniversary with Kate Jackson, Cheryl Ladd, and Jaclyn Smith. Fans across generations walked down memory lane to see their favorite actors side-by-side again and reminisce about the classic shows together. 

Hellos and Goodbyes

Later, Hargitay was joined onstage by actor Andrew Rannells to perform a musical number bidding farewell to shows that ended this past year. At the same time, they also celebrated the series that still remain on air today. Dressed in matching white suits, the pair turned TV’s growing list of finales into a theatrical goodbye. 

The bittersweet spirit was especially apparent when The Late Show with Stephen Colbert won Outstanding Variety Series. The win was met with a standing ovation, a meaningful response considering the show’s final episode had just aired a few months ago. Colbert used the moment to celebrate the people who made the program possible, emphasizing how longtime programs often become incubators where young writers and crew members can cultivate their skills. He encouraged the industry to hire the people who had worked on The Late Show, turning his acceptance speech into a professional appeal. 

This year’s Emmy Awards also paused to honor Dolly Parton, whose recent death shocked the entertainment industry. Steel Magnolias’ co-star Sally Field, who had won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie earlier in the night, delivered a few words remembering Parton’s inspiring life and character. Actress Reba McEntire took to the stage shortly after and performed Parton’s “Appalachian Memories” in a touching tribute to the legendary singer-actress. 

With not a dry eye in the room, the night’s remaining In Memoriam segment was equally emotional. Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan performed a rendition of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” accompanied by a live orchestra as images of Hollywood’s recently dearly departed filled the screen. 

The late Catherine O’Hara’s onscreen children — including Macaulay Culkin (Home Alone), Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy (Schitt’s Creek) — also gave a personal tribute. Culkin notably reflected on O’Hara’s role as his mother in Home Alone and the lasting affection she inspired in the people who had the pleasure of working with her. Actor Rob Reiner also was remembered in a moving speech from long-time friend Jamie Lee Curtis, who noted his historic posthumous Emmy recognition for The Bear. 

When a Stage Becomes a Platform 

Award speeches have always been an opportunity for winners to say more than “Thank You,” and this year was no exception. Among them was writer Vince Gilligan, whose Pluribus earned him the award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. “I submit to you that a real world in which people get along is just as believable as what we got now, and achievable. We will never agree on everything but we can show respect to one another, maybe even kindness. And we can stop listening to a relative few who tell us that is for suckers and get their power from dividing us,” he shared. 

Gilligan’s words reflected the many who choose to use attention for something larger than the trophy itself. This was evident during The Traitors’ third consecutive victory in the category Outstanding Reality Competition Program. Host Alan Cumming used his speech as a call to action for viewers to register to vote, ending with a reminder that civic participation was just as important as the night’s entertainment. 

A Hiro’s Win 

Among those celebrating was acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hiro Murai, who finally took home his first Emmy award for directing Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay. Murai’s acceptance speech didn’t try to claim the spotlight but rather shared it with others. He reflected on how his role was about putting the right people in the room and allowing talented performers to do what they do best. 

The horror-comedy series picked up the night’s top prize for Outstanding Comedy Series, along with multiple wins in acting and writing. Widow’s Bay entered with 19 nominations and rounded out the night by claiming a record 14 awards — making it one of the ceremony’s biggest winners. 

If the night’s many goodbyes and wins proved anything, it’s that television is always changing. Some shows will end and new ones will take their place. Stars become legends; emerging talent get their first big breaks; and somewhere in the middle, another generation of storytellers take the stage. 

Want more on industry history makers? Check out our interview with animator Tracey Elle Laguerre!